title: The application of real-time confocal microscopy to the study of high-speed dental-bur-tooth-cutting interactions.
abstract: A tandem scanning reflected light microscope (TSM) has been used to study the cutting interactions of dental burs with enamel. Confocal microscopy produces high-resolution images of subsurface structures in semi-transparent specimens such as teeth. The TSM has a real-time imaging ability which allows the visualization of the high-speed failure of a substrate which is being machined. This paper describes the criteria for successful imaging and their implementation in the design of a stage for controlling these cutting interactions. Examples of the results achieved are given and further applications for this technique in the field of biomaterials suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London.
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D013499:Surface Properties